Category Archives: Poetry

Fall’s Sabbath Song

Posted on September 30, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Snow flurries and seasonal temperatures could arrive next week. Even today, we are about 5⁰C above seasonal. Fall is a wonderful time with colours changing and signaling nature’s dormancy, a time of rest.

As I walked the river valley, I noticed the smell of decay. It was rich and hastened in the unusual warmth of September, but with shortened days the dampness of dew stayed as well.

I walk slowly

Absorb the valley

It touches me in many ways.

Swaths of colour

Deftly applied

By unseen master artist.

Pungent decay

Fills the air

Feeds the soil.

Leaves gently descend

Listen close

A mere whisper.

Nature’s dormancy too quietly descends

A rest time

Prepare for the next planting.

19 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry, Sabbath and tagged creativity, Mindful Practice, nature, photography, poetry, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

The Root of Extraordinary

Posted on September 29, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Friday I spend without students, at least for now. There are rumours teaching four core junior high subjects is not enough. Apparently, I don’t need time to plan, mark, complete report cards, and other sundry tasks which keep the classroom humming.

I work hard to stay positive. Sometimes the tendency is to create negative narratives rather than let each moment live itself fully. I find this is hard work, but it grows easier to set aside the dis-ease.

Alone is different

Not loneliness.

In solitude

Gifts of deep silence

The presence of presents

I grow whole

Energize the spirit

Recollect the ordinary in extraordinary–

Not just a root word;

It is the root.

3 Comments

Posted in Community, Education, Mindful Life, Poetry and tagged community, education, Mindful Practice, poetry, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

The Unplanned, yet Orchestrated

Posted on September 28, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I promised as I approached the school year:”I would experience the year and live it to the fullest with the students.” Today, this resolve was tested. Due to illnesses and other situations, the number of students dwindled to a handful. I decided to set lesson plans aside and just went with the flow this afternoon. It was an excellent choice. We enjoyed ourselves.

I used Kerpoof Studio, a site for reluctant writers. Students created stories as short animated films. At times, we were silent; while other times we shared and laughed. They helped each other with new technology and I learned right along with them. We had fun.

As I walked the river valley today, I reflected on the unplanned and the rewards offered in and by those moments.

Life–

What is it?

Moments separate;

Yet connected

Unplanned;

Yet orchestrated somehow

Beyond understanding.

Life–

An unmarked journey

Occasional missteps.

Hope against hope

Can I see around corners?

Over hills?

No,

So, accept faith

Feel, sense, rather than see

A gentle hand

A soft light illuminates each experience;

Each step in life.

14 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry, Uncategorized and tagged community, education, learning, Mindful Practice, nature, photography, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Calm in Turbulence

Posted on September 26, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

As insight grows,

Clarity emerges

Wisdom revealed.

Enter life’s stream

Accept turbulence

Seek calm waters.

Drop labels

Cease judgment

Fall awake.

13 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry and tagged creativity, crowsnest pass, Mindful Practice, mindfulness, nature, photography, poetry, Rocky Mountains, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

In the Greater Scheme

Posted on September 25, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

It was a tiring day. I sat and reminded myself of a time I felt less tired. I took this picture that day.

I sit

I walk.

In the greater scheme

What does it mean?

Sunlight warms face

Gentle breeze cools air.

Fresh morning;

Comfortable afternoon.

Feel one with Nature

Deep roots.

Supported by ground;

Enveloped by all around.

Afresh, like a beginner;

Feel that which was always there.

See the world;

Feel it for the first time.

I find a place;

A place at the table of life.

7 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry and tagged creativity, Mindful Practice, mindfulness, nature, photography, poetry, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Silence, Solitude, Sabbath

Posted on September 22, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I head into my Sabbath – I disconnect to reconnect. Last weekend we spent time in silence and in that space solitude appeared. I enjoyed a good week in a place I often struggle to find peace of mind. Besides the retreat, it was made easier as I participate in a wonderful group on a monthly conference call and we met this week. I also interviewed for a radio show about mindful servant-leadership. This was an incredible experience and will share a schedule, when it is available, for those who are interested in listening to it.

I can only say the peace I felt this week was a result of the silence and solitude at the retreat. This and sharing that experience with Kathy was a great time.

Spacious silence and solitude…

Within you I sought refuge

Peaceful and compassionate place.

There lovingkindness discovered me

The heart breaks open

Each moment its reward.

Silently the spirit reveals itself

Able to speak

Softly, gently, tenderly,

Begs for its quiet voice to be heard.

Solace finds me

An unmarked path emerges

One step at a time.

At week’s end

Gratitude for wisdom revealed

For week’s beginning.

9 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Photography, Poetry, Reflective Moments, Sabbath and tagged Leadership. Servant-Leadership, photography, poetry, servant-leadership, silence and solitude, spirituality, teacher as transformer, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

A Half a Dragonfly Is Better than None

Posted on September 21, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I took this picture with my PDA at the retreat last weekend on one of my walks. This picture turned out better than the one I deleted. I took that one of the sidewalk. I had trouble with the sun over my shoulder; pretty good excuse. Initially, I was disappointed because this dragonfly posed and was cooperative, but, in retrospect, the title says it all.

The retreat was a great experience. I reminded my self that it is OK to be imperfect. I am human with that. The dragonfly showed up and shared a quiet moment with me and for that I am grateful.

He lit down oh so gently

He posed oh so perfectly.

I heard him say;

I really did!

“Take my picture please

My time almost done

This serves as my memorial.”

I took his picture

He stood so still

Posed gratefully.

Once done, he took his leave

Both our jobs nearly done.

3 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry and tagged creativity, Mindful Practice, nature, photography, poetry, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

A Visitor

Posted on September 21, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I had just started on a conference call to Seattle last night and this fellow showed up on the back deck. He seemed curious and I took the picture with my PDA through the window. When I did open the door, he was gone before I even got open a crack. I think it is a western northern flicker woodpecker, but am not 100% sure. It is the first time I recall one showing up in my backyard. The ashtray served as a landing-place. It is not used for anything else.

Today, a visitor called

Briefly paused and rested on the stoop.

He seemed uneasy

Still, made himself to home.

Furtively, glanced about

Perhaps, hoping he would go unnoticed.

He seemed likeable

I moved to greet him

Suddenly, he slipped away

Gone, as quickly as arrived

I wish him well on his journey.

6 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry and tagged creativity, Mindful Practice, nature, photography, poetry, teacher as transformer, woodpecker. Bookmark the permalink.

The Bridge

Posted on September 18, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Kathy and I enjoyed our break at the retreat this weekend. I feel a little under the weather, but during the retreat itself that simply found a backseat in the peaceful environment we were in all weekend.

When I attend spiritual retreats, I find part way through I question myself. We often talk about compassion in these settings, but I struggle at times to be kind to those who I feel have offended me in the past. I am sure it is human nature. This weekend, I recognized there is worth in the small offenses, I find the good as I turn a little on the circle and shift my senses. I can see the world slightly differently. It is the bridge I need to walk across the abyss that appears, but it is only visible one step at a time. I trust my judgement and that of those who help me take those steps.

I know some might look at this picture and say,”That isn’t much of a drop or bridge.” I am so afraid of heights even this was a challenge the day I crossed.

I stand on the edge

The abyss yawns

Take the first step

The bridge is safe.

Built on compassion

Crafted from wisdom

Supported by community

It will carry my weight.

If only I trust my self

Take the first step

Trust my instincts

And those who travel with me.

18 Comments

Posted in Community, Mindful Life, Photography, Poetry, Reflective Moments, Uncategorized and tagged community, creativity, Mindful Practice, nature, photography, poetry, spirituality, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Retreat

Posted on September 14, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Kathy and I are attending a retreat this weekend, so I am off-line for the weekend. I will leave you with Mindful by Mary Oliver. This poem reminds me to keep all my senses open and welcome that which is around me into my heart and mind.

Every day
I see or hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for –
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world –
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant –
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these –
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean’s shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?